Imagine

Imagine
Amanzoe as a more futuristic take on the Acropolis.
Spread over 240 wild acres fringed by olive groves, its minimalist
design lets views across the Aegean and Peloponnese take centre
stage – although its imposing columns certainly make a statement on
the landscape. Despite its grandeur, the hotel is anything but
stuffy. The team are as personable and on-point as you’d expect of
an Aman, and the crowd is young – expect to be rubbing shoulders
with affluent honeymooners and solo businesswomen. While Amanzoe
can’t be faulted for its beauty, this isn’t a place for the
high-octane traveller; be prepared to spend days lazing in a
pavilion by the pool or at the Beach Club rather than cramming in
activities.

Rooms

There are just 38 pavilions and seven villas spread across
Amanzoe’s plot of land – Aman’s biggest – making it feel at once
private and intimate. The price tag here is substantial, so even
the smallest of the pavilions enjoys plenty of space and its own
plunge pool. The largest, Villa 20, looks like something you’d
expect to see in the backdrop of a music video. It sleeps up to 18
people, has a private spa and gym, six outdoor pools, a dedicated
beach cabana and three dining spaces including a Greek taverna.
Amanzoe was designed by architect Edward Tuttle, so every element
has been thought out to his signature perfection. Small details –
blackout blinds, plugs, a switch by your bed that turns off all the
lights – play as important part in the experience here as the more
fun elements such as twin bathrooms, walk-in wardrobes and a giant
shower with two showerheads.

What’s for breakfast?

It’s worth waking up for the à la carte breakfast, which is
included in the room price. Dine in your accommodation (for an
extra charge) or pull up a seat in the restaurant in the main part
of the hotel. Highlights include the courgette frittata, pancakes
with maple syrup, incredibly crispy bacon, fresh Greek yoghurt with
local honey and porridge with honey, pistachios and dried fruit.

How about lunch and dinner?

There are four restaurants in the hotel: the sea-view Pool
Restaurant, Asian-style Nama, The Restaurant, which serves Greek
and Mediterranean fare, and the Beach Club. Menus change three
times a year depending on seasonal produce. You may have eaten such
a big breakfast that you can’t find room for lunch (perhaps better
for your wallet as well), but if not, we recommend a late lunch at
the Beach Club (last order is at 5:30pm) of the courgette spaghetti
or the Koilada shrimps with tomato, ouzo and feta cheese. Dinner at
The Restaurant looking out at Spetses and the other islands is
unbelievable. We loved the catch of the day with incredible
fresh-rosemary fries and grilled vegetables topped with a
sprinkling of rock salt. The Japanese menu at Nama reads like a
love letter to sushi lovers; nigiri and rolls are made from the
freshest fish and vegetables.

Is there a bar?

There is a large indoor-outdoor, state-of-the-art bar, which
offers wine tastings if it’s raining. Sunset tipples here are a
must. Although you may recognise some of your favourite wines on
the list, it’s worth trying some of the local ones – we
particularly liked a minerally white from Santorini.

Amenities

There are swimming pools galore at Amazoe, from private plunge
pools to larger swimming pools in the villas and the enormous main
swimming pool. There are three more at the beach club, too.
Bookworms will swoon at the library. There’s also a beautiful,
2,850sq m spa – if you can think of a treatment, they probably
offer it. The Beach Club has many different watersports available,
some of which are complimentary such as stand-up paddleboarding and
kayaking. Don’t fancy that? Charter the Amanzoe One boat and visit
some of the neighbouring islands. Elsewhere, local activities
include beekeeping, mountain biking and hiking.

Green credentials

Amanzoe recycles glass, paper and plastic containers and gives
its organic rubbish to a local farmer in order to feed his
livestock (mainly pigs). Energy saving is done by way of LED lights
and turning off air conditioning, devices and such when not in use.
Its plastic takeaway boxes and cups have been scrapped while water
is served in glass bottles.

In terms of landscaping, Amanzoe only plants indigenous species
with minimal water needs. After conducting elaborate
water-management studies, Amanzoe has implemented irrigation with
highly treated liquid waste according to strict international
regulations. It also has an integrated waste management system and
a desalination plant.

Constructed largely from local materials, buildings have been
positioned to make the most of the climate and sunlight, while the
property has established an eco-friendly microclimate thanks to
more than 7,000sq m of planted roofs and the construction of
artificial ponds and infinity pools.

Things you should know

Amanzoe is about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Athens
International Airport, while the Beach Club, which opens at 11am,
is a 10-minute drive from the main part of the hotel. Complimentary
transfers happen in a snazzy Mercedes-Benz Viano – the hotel has
its own fleet of these – so you can go back and forth at any time
of day. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also mountain bike
to the Beach Club (and back to the resort uphill if you’re feeling
extremely fit). While the majority of the club is sandy, the
shoreline is pebbly so bring some water shoes if you’re thinking of
swimming. The property closes every year for a period of time over
autumn/ winter.

Within a short walk you can find…

Amanzoe is the kind of resort where you stay on the property,
but if you do venture out to more local restaurants and shops, it’s
about a 10-minute drive from Porto Cheli and 20 to Spetses.